I became quite an expert at interpreting tracks. Footprints and light tyre impressions which also signified walking. Singlespeed tracks which would show a tear through the soft ground as the optimum power went through the tyre etc. Tyre tracks which were dried up or nearly obliterated showing the passage of riders some days before.When you say tyre tracks, were you also looking for a set of footprints next to them? I personally got some comfort in finding footprints next to tyre prints as it made me realise that the riders in front of me were walking bits as well! You'll have seen my footprints on a good chunk of the route - for me it was a big walk with my bike for the later days as my legs were shot and climbing became impossible!
Highland trail 550!!
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
Blog - thecyclerider.com
Re: Highland trail 550!!
Maybe change your forum name to Tonto?
Re: Highland trail 550!!
What I never managed to establish was how long does it take for a set of wet tyre marks rock to dry out? Obviously it depended on the weather and/or time of day and/or wetness of the tyre. Best estimate I could come up with was something between 1 and 3 hours
- fatbikephil
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
Following the tyre tracks was one of the things that I really liked about the ride - its a great comfort to know that some other poor buggers were suffering the same as you! Was interesting checking out peoples lines round the wet bits and floods on the Orrin res track and deciding which ones to follow (or not as the case may be)
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
Yeah, very true. I discovered on that track that most bogs appear deeper than they are, and the rest are deeper than they appear. You won't know which is which until you ride into them though...
Re: Highland trail 550!!
And here's the videoWildcat wrote:Some people may know that it was Alan G's birthday today so a little surprise was organised for a special send off.
I haven't had it confirmed but the riders should have had birthday cake and a bagpipe send off.
Wish I had been there to see that.
https://vimeo.com/97154105
Re: Highland trail 550!!
Ha ha, bravo!Ian wrote:And here's the videoWildcat wrote:Some people may know that it was Alan G's birthday today so a little surprise was organised for a special send off.
I haven't had it confirmed but the riders should have had birthday cake and a bagpipe send off.
Wish I had been there to see that.
https://vimeo.com/97154105
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
I think birthday cake before starting the race should be an annual feature. I reckon I got a few hours riding out of that doorstop wedge of cake I had at 8:30am .
Re: Highland trail 550!!
My Highland Trail race in words and pictures.
http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.co. ... rview.html
http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.co. ... rview.html
Blog - thecyclerider.com
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
Good read that. Cheers.Richpips wrote:My Highland Trail race in words and pictures.
http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.co. ... rview.html
Re: Highland trail 550!!
Richpips wrote:My Highland Trail race in words and pictures.
http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.co. ... rview.html
I like it rich. Good mental strength mate. Not mention bodgery skills
Re: Highland trail 550!!
htrider wrote:Following the tyre tracks was one of the things that I really liked about the ride - its a great comfort to know that some other poor buggers were suffering the same as you! Was interesting checking out peoples lines round the wet bits and floods on the Orrin res track and deciding which ones to follow (or not as the case may be)
I found following tyre tracks endlessly frustrating. Considering I was in 2nd place for the last few days but couldn't be certain of that, there were very few sections where I was only following 1 set of tyre tracks! Seems a lot of riders had been out along parts of the trail. I spent most of day 3 convinced I was in 4th.
Re: Highland trail 550!!
fantastic read that richpipps......
- pushbikemike
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
Excellent read Richpips. Inspiring stuff. Liked your approach to it all.
Re: Highland trail 550!!
I really enjoyed reading that - twice so far, and no doubt I'll be back for more. Great photos, too, apart from that 'foot fotie'! Where's Internet censorship when you need it?
Re: Highland trail 550!!
Nice write up, when I read stuff like that I think "hey, doesn't sound so bad, maybe I should give it a go".
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
That's a great bit of writing, well done.Richpips wrote:My Highland Trail race in words and pictures.
http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.co. ... rview.html
As for your experiences and endurance, crikey
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
Well done Rich now how many times did you have to ask yourself what Minipips would do ?Richpips wrote:Thanks folks. I'm glad you enjoyed the write up.
Re: Highland trail 550!!
Only the once. http://minipips.blogspot.co.uk/Well done Rich now how many times did you have to ask yourself what Minipips would do ?
Blog - thecyclerider.com
Re: Highland trail 550!!
There's another great write-up (by NewRetro Tom) here http://newretrotom.blogspot.fr/2014/06/ ... l-550.html
Just watch out for another foot photo at the bottom.
Just watch out for another foot photo at the bottom.
Re: Highland trail 550!!
Nice write up. He makes very light of the distances he was covering over that terrain, on a 32:18 SSdeejayen wrote:There's another great write-up (by NewRetro Tom) here http://newretrotom.blogspot.fr/2014/06/ ... l-550.html
Just watch out for another foot photo at the bottom.
Re: Highland trail 550!!
...he's not kiddingNewRetroTom wrote:During the night other racers arrived with Ian Barrington coming in just before 2am....[snip]....A group of 4 of us including a not very well rested Ian Barrington set off at 5.
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Re: Highland trail 550!!
Cheers for linking!deejayen wrote:There's another great write-up (by NewRetro Tom) here http://newretrotom.blogspot.fr/2014/06/ ... l-550.html
A most enjoyable race!
Re: Highland trail 550!!
Enjoyable writeup Tom